Joining cage for bonding components to be joined

Abstract

A joining cage for insertion into a gap (17) between two components (10, 12) to be joined by means of insertion and subsequent bonding is characterized in that it consists of two parallel, spaced-apart circumferential sealing rings (20, 22) adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the gap (17), which are connected to each other via connecting webs that do not extend beyond the height of the gap (17), wherein the first sealing ring (20) to be arranged at a joint of the components (10, 12) to be joined has at least two opposing outlet openings (31a, 31b), and two substantially L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) with two legs (38, 40) are formed, the first leg (38) of which is formed on the first sealing ring (20) next to each outlet opening (31a, 31b) and extends in the direction of the second sealing ring (22) and the second leg (40) of each of its two legs extends to the adjacent outlet opening (31a,31b) bridging in the circumferential direction of the gap (17) to define a flow path for the injected adhesive, which is formed from an injection point (46) opposite the respective second legs (40), with flow around the L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) on both sides, to the outlet openings (31a, 31b). The special shape of the joining cage creates a labyrinth or flow channels for the injected adhesive, through which the adhesive flows to the exit openings (31a, 31b). Once adhesive has exited both openings (31a, 31b), it is ensured that the entire gap (17) is filled with adhesive.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a joining cage for insertion into a gap between two components to be joined by plugging them together and subsequently gluing them, a joining connection between two pluggable and subsequently glued components using such a joining cage, and a joining method using such a joining cage.

[0002] Frames for battery housings, especially those made of aluminum, are currently mainly welded, which causes problems with weld distortion, and gas-tight aluminum welds are also difficult to achieve.

[0003] From DE 10 2018 000 693 A1, it is known to use adhesive bonds in a press fit for joining extruded profiles, whereby the adhesive is injected through an injection port until it exits at an opposite outlet port. However, this method does not ensure that the adhesive spreads uniformly throughout the entire bonding gap. Rather, it must be assumed that in many cases the adhesive follows the "path of least resistance" and that edge areas are not completely filled. This can lead to a joint of lower strength and a non-gas-tight connection. Long extruded profiles are difficult to join in this way, and a seal on all planes is not achieved.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a joining connection between two components that can be plugged together and subsequently glued, by means of which a reliable filling of the adhesive gap, i.e. the space to be filled with adhesive, is ensured.

[0005] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] The problem is solved according to claim 1 by a joining cage for insertion into a gap between two components to be joined by means of push-fit and subsequent bonding, which consists of two parallel, spaced-apart circumferential sealing rings adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the gap, which are connected to each other by connecting webs that do not extend over the height of the gap, wherein the first sealing ring to be arranged at a joint of the components to be joined has at least two opposing outlet openings, and two substantially L-shaped sealing strips with two legs each are formed, the first leg of each of which is formed next to an outlet opening on the first sealing ring and extends in the direction of the second sealing ring, and the second leg of each of which extends in the circumferential direction of the gap, bridging the adjacent outlet opening.to define a flow path for injected adhesive, which is formed from an injection point opposite the respective second legs, with flow around the L-shaped sealing strips on both sides, up to the outlet openings.

[0007] The connecting webs do not have the same height as the gap, allowing adhesive to flow past them. Therefore, the connecting webs only serve to create a rigid structure for the joining cage.

[0008] The special shape of the joining cage, created by the two L-shaped sealing strips, forms a labyrinth or flow channels for the injected adhesive. From the injection point, the adhesive initially flows circumferentially on both sides of the gap. On the side of the gap opposite the injection point, a deflection point is formed. From there, the adhesive flows first towards the first sealing ring and then back in the opposite direction, flowing towards the injection point on both sides until it reaches the outlet openings. Once adhesive has exited both openings, it is ensured that essentially the entire space occupied by the gap is completely filled with adhesive and the joining partners are sealed against each other.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing rings and the connecting webs are formed as an integral injection-molded plastic part, with sealing layers being formed axially and / or radially on the outside of the sealing rings during the injection molding process. The sealing rings thus have special sealing layers on their outer surface that ensure the adhesive remains inside the cage. According to an advantageous further development of this embodiment, the sealing layer of the first sealing ring extends radially outwards into the axial gap between the butt joints of the components to be joined. Thus, in the joined components, the sealing layer, interrupted at two points by the outlet openings, extends radially outwards to the respective outer surface of the joined components. This makes it very easy to check whether the adhesive pressed through the labyrinth has escaped from both outlet openings.The material of the joining cage should ensure stiffness so that the L-shaped sealing strips are not displaced or deformed by the toughness of the injected adhesive.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two connecting ribs are provided, and the first legs of each L-shaped sealing strip are arranged on the connecting ribs. The connecting ribs thus have a first wide section with a thickness corresponding to the height of the joining gap, forming the first leg of each L-shaped sealing strip and preventing adhesive from flowing over the first legs. A second, approximately equal-length section of the connecting ribs extends towards the second sealing ring, where it is integrally formed, and has a smaller thickness, allowing adhesive to flow circumferentially over the connecting ribs.

[0011] According to an advantageous further development of this design, at least four connecting ribs are provided, and the second legs of each L-shaped sealing strip are molded onto or terminate at two further connecting ribs. Thus, the second legs of each sealing strip are connected to the connecting ribs at both ends and cannot be displaced by the viscosity of the injected adhesive.

[0012] According to an advantageous further development of this design, the L-shaped sealing strips extend circumferentially beyond the further connecting webs towards each other and form a narrowed deflection point for the adhesive in order to lengthen the labyrinth and ensure that the gap is filled with adhesive as completely as possible.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, a joining connection between two components that can be plugged together and subsequently glued is provided using such a joining cage, wherein a first component has an inner joining section on its end face, and a second component, forming a joining gap to the inner joining section, has an outer joining section on its end face into which a joining cage according to one of the preceding claims can be inserted, and subsequently the inner joining section and the outer joining section can be glued together over their entire surface, wherein the outer joining section has an adhesive injection opening which is designed and arranged to inject adhesive at the injection point of the joining cage. The inner joining section is preferably designed as a shoulder-like section onto which the outer joining section of the second component is plugged, forming a gap. The gap has a height of approximately 1-2 mm.Typically, the joining joint has a rectangular cross-section; in other words, the components to be joined have a rectangular cross-section.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the components to be joined is a cast or forged part, and the other component is an extruded profile. Preferably, one or both components are made of an aluminum alloy. The joining connection is particularly preferably used for joining a battery housing frame for a traction battery of a motor vehicle.

[0015] The invention further comprises a method for joining and bonding two components that can be plugged together and subsequently bonded according to the aforementioned joining connection, wherein the joining cage is placed on the shoulder or in the sleeve section, the two components are then axially plugged together, and adhesive is subsequently injected into the space of the joining cage through the adhesive injection opening until it has exited through both outlet openings, completely filling the space between the sealing rings and flowing around the L-seals on both sides.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which – possibly with reference to the drawings – at least one embodiment is described in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of two components to be joined; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a joining cage according to the invention; Fig. 3: a perspective view of a component to be joined with a joining cage attached; Fig. 4: a section through an assembled joining cage; Fig. 5: a perspective view of a component to be joined with an attached joining cage; Fig. 6: a perspective view of two joined components; Fig. 7: A perspective view showing two joined components and a joining cage.

[0018] In the Fig. Figures 1, 5, and 6 show a first component 10 and a second component 12 to be joined to it, wherein the first component 10 has an end-face joining inner section 14, which is designed as a shoulder, onto which a joining outer section 16 with a joining gap 17 ( Fig. 4) is pluggable, whereby the joining gap 17 of approximately 1 - 2mm height is to be filled with adhesive for bonding the two components 10, 12.

[0019] In the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a joining cage 18 which is placed on the inner joining section 14 of the first component 10 to be joined or inserted into the outer joining section 16 of the second component 12 before the two components 10, 12 are axially pushed together, as shown in Fig. 1 is represented by an arrow.

[0020] How best to Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the joining cage 18 comprises two spaced-apart sealing rings 20, 22, which are connected to each other via at least two molded-on first connecting webs 24a, 24b. The embodiment of the joining cage 18 shown in the figures comprises a total of six connecting webs, namely first connecting webs 24a, 24b, second connecting webs 26a, 26b, and third connecting webs 28a, 28b. More precisely, the joining cage 18 consists of a relatively rigid plastic structure of retaining rings 30a, 30b, to which the connecting webs 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b are molded. All rigid connecting webs 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b have a lower height than the circumferential or joining gap 17 between the inner joining section 14 and the outer joining section 16, so that adhesive can flow over them.

[0021] On the retaining rings 30a, 30b, which have a width in the transverse or radial direction that is less than the height of the gap 17 into which the joining cage 18 is inserted, soft sealing layers 32a, 32b are injection-molded axially on the outside, which seal an interior space 34 of the joining cage 18 in both axial directions so that the adhesive injected there cannot escape beyond the sealing rings 20, 22.

[0022] Near the first connecting webs 24a, 24b, two outlet openings 31a, 31b are formed in the first sealing ring 20, which connect the joining cage interior 34 with the environment at these points, so that adhesive can escape into the environment at these points.

[0023] The first connecting webs 24a, 24b are arranged immediately adjacent to the outlet openings 31a, 31b. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the first connecting webs 24a, 24b and the second connecting webs 26a, 26b are connected by two transverse webs 36a, 36b, which are arranged approximately midway between the two sealing rings 20, 22. On the respective half of the first connecting webs 24a, 24b facing the first sealing ring 20, a first leg 38 and on the transverse webs 36a, 36b, a second leg 40 of an approximately L-shaped sealing strip 42a, 42b are formed, which completely seals the gap 17 between the inner joining section 14 and the outer joining section 16.

[0024] In the second component 12, an adhesive injection opening 44 is formed at the level of the interior of the joining cage 34 for injecting adhesive, which defines an injection area 46 for the adhesive in the interior of the joining cage 34. The sealing layer 32a on the first sealing ring 20 extends radially outwards as far as (as in Fig. 2 shown), that this remains between the axial ends of the components 10, 12 to be joined as an externally visible ring with the interruptions caused by the two exit openings 31a, 31b, as in Fig. 6 is shown. As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in the first component 10, recesses 48 can be formed at the level of the outlet openings 31a, 31b to receive any adhesive that has leaked out.

[0025] To create a joining connection between the two components 10, 12 according to the invention, a joining cage is either placed on the inner joining section 14 of the first component 10 - as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is shown - or inserted into the joining outer section 16 of the second component 12. The two components 10, 12 are then axially joined together, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 is shown, with which in Fig. The result shown in section 6. Subsequently, adhesive is injected through the adhesive injection opening 44, which, as shown in the diagram, Fig. 7, indicated by the arrows, is distributed on both sides from the injection area 46 and flows circumferentially. As soon as the L-shaped sealing strips 42a, 42b are reached, the area adjacent to the first sealing ring 20 is blocked by the first leg 38, and the adhesive takes the path above the second leg 40 and flows to the end of the second leg 40, which in the illustrated embodiment coincides with the second connecting webs 26a, 26b and comes together again from both sides on the side of the gap 17 opposite the injection area 46 in order to flow towards the first sealing ring 20 (in Fig.7 downwards) and flow back below the second leg 40 in the opposite direction to the outlet openings 31a, 31b and exit through these into the environment. As soon as an outflow of adhesive from both outlet openings 31a, 31b or the associated indentations 48 in the first component 10 has been observed from the outside, it is ensured that the entire interior of the joining cage 34 is filled with adhesive.

[0026] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. Reference symbol list 10 first component 12 second component 14 Joining section 16 Joining outer section 17 Joining gap 18 joining cages 20 first sealing ring 22 second sealing ring 24a,b first connecting bridges 26a,b second connecting bridges 28a,b third connecting bridges 30a, b retaining rings 31a, 31b Exit openings 32a, 32b Sealing layers 34 Joining cage interior 36a, b Crossbars 38 first thigh 40 second thigh 42a, b L-shaped sealing strips 44 Adhesive injection opening 46 Injection area 48 depression QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 000 693 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Joining cage for insertion into a gap (17) between two components (10, 12) to be joined by plugging them together and then bonding them together, characterized by, that this consists of two parallel, spaced-apart circumferential sealing rings (20, 22) adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the gap (17), which are connected to each other via connecting webs that do not extend beyond the height of the gap (17), wherein the first sealing ring (20) to be arranged at a joint of the components (10, 12) to be joined has at least two opposing outlet openings (31a, 31b), and two substantially L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) are formed, each with two legs (38, 40), the first leg (38) of which is formed on the first sealing ring (20) next to each outlet opening (31a, 31b) and extends towards the second sealing ring (22), and the second leg (40) of which bridges the adjacent outlet opening (31a, 31b). in the circumferential direction of the gap (17) to define a flow path for the injected adhesive, starting from an injection point (46),which is opposite the respective second legs (40), under flow around the L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) on both sides up to the outlet openings (31a, 31b). [2] Joining cage according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sealing rings and the connecting webs are formed as an injection-molded part made of plastic, wherein sealing layers (32a, 32b) are formed axially and / or radially on the outside of the sealing rings (20, 22) during the injection molding process. [3] Joining cage according to claim 2, characterized by , that the sealing layer (32a) of the first sealing ring (20) extends radially outwards into a gap between the butt joints of the components to be joined (10, 12). [4] Joining cage according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least two connecting webs (24a, 24b) are provided and the first legs (38) of the L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) are arranged on the connecting webs (24a, 24b). [5] Joining cage according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least four connecting webs (24a, 24b, 26a, 26b) are provided and the second legs (40) of the L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) are formed on two further connecting webs (26a, 26b). [6] Joining cage according to claim 5, characterized by , that the L-shaped sealing strips (42a, 42b) extend circumferentially beyond the second connecting webs (26a, 26b) and thus form a narrowed passage opening for the adhesive. [7] Joining connection between two pluggable and subsequently bondable components (10, 12), wherein a first component (10) has an end-face joining inner section (14), and a second component (12) forming a joining gap (17) to the joining inner section has an end-face joining outer section (16) into which a joining cage (18) according to one of the preceding claims can be inserted, and subsequently the joining inner section (14) and the joining outer section (16) can be bonded together over a surface area, wherein the joining outer section (16) has an adhesive injection opening (44) which is designed and arranged to inject adhesive at the injection point (46) of the joining cage (18). [8] Joining connection according to claim 7, characterized by , that one of the components to be joined (10, 12) is a cast or forged part, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, and the other component (12, 10) is an extruded profile, preferably made of an aluminum alloy. [9] Use of the joining connection according to claim 7 or 8 for joining a battery housing frame for a traction battery of a motor vehicle. [10] Method for joining and bonding two components (10, 12) that can be plugged together and subsequently bonded according to the joining connection according to claim 5, characterized by , that the joining cage (18) is placed on the inner joining section (14) or in the outer joining section (16), then the two components (10, 12) are axially joined together, then adhesive is injected through the adhesive injection opening (44) into the interior of the joining cage (34) within the joining cage (18) until it has completely filled the space between the sealing rings and flowed around both sides of the L-sealing strips (42a, 42b) and has emerged from both outlet openings (31a, 31b).

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